In his latest blog entry, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross discusses Owen Hart’s life and death (Monday would have been his 47th birthday) and the rich wrestling history of the double wrist lock currently being utilized by Brock Lesnar in WWE:
Jim Ross on Owen Hart: “Today is Owen Hart’s birthday. The youngest child of the Stu and Helen Hart dynasty would have been 47 years of age. Owen will always be one of my favorite wrestlers for a variety of reasons. He was amazingly skilled in the ring in a variety of styles that he worked and sacrificed to master. Owen could execute basic, catch as catch can wrestling, high flying, brawling and submission wrestling as well as anyone I can recall. There was really nothing in the ring that Owen Hart couldn’t do. The masterful practical joker made everyone that he performed with, whether they be friend or foe, better. That’s an amazing gift.
Owen’s match vs. his brother Bret at WM10 is a must see bout for any wrestler desiring to improve their game or for young people who are thinking about a career in the squared circle.
For all his athletic and entertaining gifts, Owen Hart was a far better person. In the often times world of sports entertainment that can be dotted with massive egos, insecurities, jealousy, and other unflattering traits, much like that can be found in pro sports and the entertainment world in general, Owen Hart was loved by all that knew him.
In my 4+ decade career, I never heard any one ever ‘knock’ or speak badly of Owen Hart. That’s high praise.
The night Owen died in Kansas City was one of the most traumatic days of my life and that event is nothing more than a blur in my mind. I have little recall of the accident and Owen’s subsequent death. I have never watched a tape or DVD of ‘Over the Edge’ nor do I ever plan on doing so unless someday I decided to write my autobiography.
A week never goes by that someone doesn’t ask me what I think about what happened that night. What was I feeling when I saw Owen fall just mere feet in front of me? It’s a question that I never answer. Perhaps some day I will because I know if I go back and watch what occurred that all the emotions that I have supressed all these years will return. I’m not sure how I’m going to handle that moment if that day comes.
Until then, I will remember my friend Owen Hart the same as I always have… with a smile.”
Jim Ross on the Double Wrist Lock: “Funny how Brock Lesnar’s use of the MMA oriented kimora has been used effectively for years in pro wrestling where it’s known as a double wrist lock. Guys like Lou Thesz and Dan Hodge were masters of the painful maneuver and it was a ‘go to’ hold when faced with legit danger inside the ring…or out for that matter.
I saw Hodge double wrist lock one of the toughest men that I ever knew, Dick Murdoch. It was in the locker room in Tulsa on a Monday night after Dick’s Texas Longhorns had defeated Hodge’s OU Sooners the previous Saturday in the Cotton Bowl in their annual, college football game. Murd wouldn’t let well enough alone and finally Dan had enough. I left the premises before the ‘gun fire’ but heard the primal screams of the big Texan who had pushed easy going Hodge to his limit.
Bottom line is that the kimora or double wrist lock is agony on all those that encounter it especially when the hold is properly applied such as Lesnar did to HHH.
Harley Race told me that Lou Thesz loved applying the double wrist lock as it humbled many, tough men over Lou’s amazing career.”
Jim Ross Plugs Grilling Season: “Grilling season is here! I hope that you will click on to this link and browse our store located at http://www.wweshop.com/Category/JimRoss. If you have shipping, etc. questions please consult customer service at WWEShop.com or hit them on Twitter @WWEShop.”
For more of Jim Ross’ blog posts, click here.